Gypsy Burger Pretzel Bread Recipes

PRETZEL BUNS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar over 1/2 cup of warm water in a small bowl. The water should be no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam.
• Add milk, shortening, eggs, oil, 3 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Blend with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Mix in remaining 3 cups of flour by hand, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. The dough will be sticky.
• Lightly oil a large bowl, then place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Uncover the dough and punch it down.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Pull off baseball size portions of dough and roll into "snakes" about 6 inches long. Roll each "snake" into a spiral to give the tops some texture. Set each formed bun aside.
• Mix the baking soda and 4 cups hot water in a bowl. The baking soda does not need to dissolve completely. Dip each bun in the baking soda solution before placing on a baking sheet. Brush each bun with melted butter and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake in the preheated oven until brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack or brown paper bag.

PRETZEL BREAD

Steps:

• Heat milk and butter until warm (100 degrees to 110 degrees F); the butter will not completely melt. Combine with undissolved yeast and brown sugar in a large mixer bowl. Stir in salt and 2 cups flour, beat for 3 minutes. Gradually add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine boiling solution and bring to a boil. Punch dough down and divide into 2 equal pieces. Form each piece into a tight, smooth ball. Boil each loaf in the solution for 2 minutes, turning after 1 minute. Remove loaves from pot using a slotted spoon and place on a greased baking sheet.
• Brush with egg wash and cut a cross in the top. Bake for 15 minutes then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and bake an additional 10 to 12 minutes until the loaves are evenly browned. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

PRETZEL-CRUSTED BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the eggs, tomato sauce, 1 cup pretzel crumbs, onion, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into eight 3/4-in.-thick patties. Coat with remaining pretzel crumbs., Grill patties, uncovered, over medium heat for 7-8 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160°. Serve on buns.

PRETZEL BREAD

Steps:

• In a 2 quart or larger pan stir together beer, cornmeal and molasses.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, remove and cool to 110*.
• In a large bowl sprinkle yeast over warm water and let stand 5 minutes.
• Stir in beer mixture, oil, table salt and rye flour until well blended.
• Stir in 3 1/2 cups flour until smooth.
• Knead bread until smooth and elastic, around 15 minutes, a dough hook around 10.
• Place in a greased bowl, turning once to cover with oil, cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down, turn out onto a floured board and knead for a few turns to release the air.
• At this point you can shape into rolls, or a loaf, 1 large or 2 small, or shape into a pretzel shape for sandwiches later.
• Which ever you do, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until puffy, around 30 minutes.
• Remove plastic, brush top with egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
• For bread and Pretzel shaped bread bake at 350* for about 30 minutes, rolls 15 to 20.
• Cool on a rack.

BEER AND PRETZEL BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine beer, pretzel crumbs, relish, and salt. Mix in ground beef, blending well. Shape into 8 patties.
• Grill over medium coals for 10-15 minutes or until desired doneness, turning halfway through. During last minute of grilling, toast the buns.
• Serve burgers on toasted buns with ketchup, mustard, cheese, or whatever toppings you like!